Telomerase activity in Philadelphia positive chronic myeloid leukaemia.

Telomerase is a specialized type of reverse transcriptase that catalyzes the synthesis and extension of telomeric DNA. Activation of telomerase and stabilization of telomeres are considered necessary for immortalization of tumor cells. Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) is a good example to investigate the reactivation of telomerase as; after a variable period in chronic phase, CML undergoes further evolution.